Would not touch it with a ten foot pole

Posted by RCP on March 12, 2010 at 08:38

Greetings - it is my understanding that the origins of "would not touch it with a ten foot pole" relates to the use of the Roman decempeda - ten foot pole - for camp layouts and all other standard linear measurements. Although all camp measurements were not 10 feet - the ten foot pole was standard. This ensured rapid mobilization with enough distance between camp units and standardized camp layouts for the army.

• Would not touch it with a ten foot pole James Briggs 12/March/10
  • Would not touch it with a ten foot pole Victoria S Dennis 12/March/10
    • Pole R. Berg 13/March/10
      • Pole Baceseras 13/March/10